Broadway Cares/ impact on stage doors

[NiceWork2]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 10:49am

Somebody told me that the bi-annual Broadway Cares season has begun, and of course autographed playbills, posters, etc are all for sale again, and of course for a very good cause. But I also heard (and this is unconfirmed) that for some shows performers are now prohibited from signing autographs at the stagedoor because they do not want to compete with the Broadway Cares sales. I'm not sure if any of this is accurate, does anybody know more or has been to a stagedoor in the last several days? Hoping this isn't the case. Going to a stagedoor isn't just about getting a signature(s), it's also about interacting with performers.

[haterobics]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 10:56am

I don't believe this is true. The only case where people might reference BC/EFA rather than signing are the same stage doors where the main people already don't sign (It's Only A Play, You Can't Take It With You, etc.). If/Then was selling $200 posters last brigade, but Idina et al still signed.

If it is about the interaction, buy a BC/EFA signed playbill, and then stay and thank them for their performance. Best of both worlds.

[bdn223]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 11:40am

Last year the cast of A View from the Bridge would not sign during the run up for Gypsy of the Year, and the doorman told everyone the only way to get a signed playbill was to buy one in the back of the theater.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 11:45am

There's been quite a few shows lately to do this. GLASS MENAGERIE was one of them.

[NiceWork2]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 4:03pm

thanks, these responses here would seem to make sense. Broadway Cares/others can probably recommend whatever they want, but the bottom line is that you can't take away a performer's preference to interact with stage door fans if that's to their liking. obviously, some shows, the cast collectively decides to not sign, but i think would be the ones with big stars, etc

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/31/14 at 4:14pm

Though it can make it easier, interacting at the stage door doesn't require a playbill.